Pope Leo XIV has said he was “deeply saddened” by an Israeli strike which hit a church in Gaza, which killed two people, and has called for “an immediate ceasefire”, AFP reports.

“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Church in Gaza” and “renews his calls for an immediate ceasefire”, read a Telegram sent by the Vatican’s Secretary of State in the pontiff’s name.